Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration

Courageous Daring Wonderful You, LLC
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Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration is your guide to building a thriving, long-lasting career.  This season, we’re diving into both the technical and human elements of a thriving career—exploring career strategy, leadership, and the evolving mindsets that fuel success, alongside deeper dives into cutting-edge technology tools, emerging industry trends, and critical technical skills.  With a mix of expert conversations and personal reflections, this season is about equipping you with the insights, strategies, and inspiration to move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Join us as we decode the wisdom of those who’ve forged their own paths and gain the insights you need to shape yours. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

  1. 4D AGO

    Understaffed, Overlooked: Rethinking Cyber Careers in 2025

    Send us a text In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we unpack highlights of ISACA’s 2025 State of Cybersecurity report and what it really means for your career, your team, and your leadership journey.  Instead of just listing statistics, we use a facts → framing → question pattern to explore how the data intersects with culture, opportunity, and equity in cybersecurity. ​You’ll hear: Why more than half of cybersecurity teams are understaffed while 65% of organizations still have unfilled roles—and what that says about how we design hiring and development.The cross-training paradox: almost half of current cyber staff transitioned from non-security roles, yet only 29% of enterprises invest in training non-security staff into cyber.How sponsorship, especially for people of color, must become a deliberate strategy if we want more diverse leaders shaping hiring, promotion, and budget decisions.Why “technical cybersecurity professional” is an outdated phrase if it ignores adaptability, communication, and problem-solving—skills that ISACA identifies as top qualifications and top gaps.The rise of the “evolving technologist”: a professional who is technically strong, business fluent, and human-centered—and why they should be in the pipeline to leadership, not just stuck as do‑it‑all individual contributors.This episode is for you if: You’re in tech or an adjacent role and wondering whether cybersecurity could be your next move.You’re a cyber leader trying to fill roles, retain talent, and build a more diverse team.You care about representation and want to understand how structural decisions in hiring and development either create or close doors.Mentioned in this episode: ISACA – State of Cybersecurity 2025 press release and findings.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    28 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Decoding the Shadows - IT, SaaS & AI: The Attack Surface You Can't See (AI-audio Deep Dive)

    Send us a text Shadow IT has evolved, and now the biggest threats lurk in unapproved cloud tools and ungoverned generative AI.  This episode breaks down the critical difference between Shadow SaaS and Shadow AI, the severe risks they introduce, and the specialized, eight-step Incident Response (IR) plan necessary to contain these modern threats What You'll Learn: Shadow Definitions: We clarify that Shadow IT is the overarching umbrella for unsanctioned tech, while Shadow SaaS involves unapproved cloud apps (leading to identity sprawl and weak offboarding) and Shadow AI involves unapproved LLMs or AI features (introducing data leakage, opaque decisions, and integrity risks). The Stakes: Shadow AI and SaaS are major sources of riskSpecialized IR: Incident Response for these threatsContainment & Eradication: Learn specific actions for containment Continuous Improvement: The final phase focuses on lessons learned, capturing root causes, and implementing control improvements.Stay Connected with the Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    16 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    Inside Aspen Cybersecurity Summit: Policy, Presence & Trailblazers

    Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when cyber policy meets real-world collaboration in D.C.?  Dive into my raw takeaways from the Aspen Cybersecurity Summit, a 10-year powerhouse event packed with federal insights, government initiatives, and unfiltered panel talks. Hear firsthand about the close-knit community of recurring pros, the power of diverse voices (including trailblazing women), and why showing up shapes the narrative.  From interviewing Bowie State cyber students to spotting gaps in international perspectives, this episode spotlights career longevity through nonstop learning and cross-sector teamwork. Key gems: Academia-private sector mashups, underrepresented voices at the table, and strategic storytelling beyond tech skills. If you’re building longevity in cybersecurity, this is your blueprint. Call to Action: It's critical that your voice is heard!  If you need help finding, rediscovering or using your voice, I want to help.  Learn more here. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    27 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    Centered and Certain: How Your Why Powers Every Pivot

    Send us a text Discover why knowing your “why” is more than a catchphrase—it’s your guiding light through career pivots, big decisions, and seasons of uncertainty.  Inspired by Simon Sinek’s legendary framework, this episode unpacks the power of purpose for leaders and changemakers. Reflect with your host on the true reason this podcast was born: mentorship, community, and the joyful amplification of underrepresented technologists. You’ll take away practical tips for discovering your core motivation, telling your signature story, and building a resilient career aligned with your beliefs and values. If you’re stuck or restless, tune in for a dose of clarity—and the nudge you need to take your next step, even if the path isn’t fully clear yet. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Call to Action: It's critical that your voice is heard!  If you need help finding, rediscovering or using your voice, I want to help.  Learn more here. Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    23 min

  5. 12/01/2025

    The Seat, The System and the Shift: A Person of Color's Reflections on Leadership in Tech

    Send us a text What happens when you realize the language of diversity and belonging is everywhere — yet the systems remain the same? In this episode, we explore what it truly means to have a seat at the table and why representation alone isn’t enough. Host, Dawn Butler, shares a deeply personal story about leading a critical phase of an in-development framework — owning documentation, process changes, and adoption — only to find her voice dismissed and her expertise ignored. When the chaos came, she was suddenly indispensable. A firefighter. A miracle worker. This reflection looks beyond personal struggle to examine the system itself — how it rewards performance while resisting change — and what it takes to shift the culture, not just survive it. You’ll hear insights on: How to recognize when inclusion is performative, not practicedThe generational differences shaping how we define leadership, power, and voiceThe quiet resilience required to stand firm when your contribution is unseenHow to lead with integrity and humanity in the age of AI and automationIf you’ve ever been in the room but unheard, or invited but unempowered, this conversation will speak to you. Call to Action: It's critical that your voice is heard!  If you need help finding, rediscovering or using your voice, I want to help.  Learn more here. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    25 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    The Folding Chair at the Table: What True Leadership in Tech Should Mean

    Send us a text What does true tech leadership look like when you’re stuck managing critical systems but don’t get to steer the ship?  Inspired by a LinkedIn post, this episode, the “folding chair” at the corporate table becomes a metaphor for reclaiming autonomy, breaking out of what the poster, A CISO, called the cyber Stockholm Syndrome, and rewriting the rules on influence in the industry. We’ll unpack: Why IT leaders must reclaim ownership and genuine decision-making powerThe hidden cost of working in “liability management” and being reduced to cost center statusHow CISOs and tech professionals can escape the trap of visibility without real authorityWhy empowerment starts with having your insights valued—and the right to say “no”Action strategies for redefining your seat at the table and pushing for lasting changeIf you’re tired of checking all the boxes but never calling the shots, tune in to get practical tactics and energizing perspective shifts. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Inspired by Josh Copeland's LI Post Call to Action: It's critical that your voice is heard!  If you need help finding, rediscovering or using your voice, I want to help.  Learn more here. Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    27 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    Your Strategic Guide to Technical Leadership and Scaling Security (AI Voiced Deep Dive)

    Send us a text Are you looking to understand how organizations deliver software at speed and scale while keeping security front and center? This episode is your essential guide to the methodologies that govern modern software delivery and the leadership strategies required to drive technical excellence. We start by defining the fundamental building blocks of Agile methodology.We then examine how Agile scales.Next, we shift focus to the integration of development, operations, and security. We explore the role of the modern DevOps or DevSecOps manager.We dive deep into DevSecOps, which integrates security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. Finally, we outline the critical roles that power this continuous improvement ecosystem. Bonus:  Tips on strategic certifications for leadership. Tune in to learn how these frameworks compare, and gain the insights needed to lead secure, resilient, and fast-moving digital transformations! Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ Want a weekly dose of encouragement and insights? Sign up for my newsletter, Courageous Circuits, https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    18 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    The Cyber Talent Disconnect: What the SANS Report Didn’t Say

    Send us a text In this episode, I unpack the 2025 SANS Report, “Attract, Hire, and Retain Cybersecurity Roles,” and challenge what it really means for the global cyber workforce. We’ll talk about certification barriers, the myth of “no entry-level roles,” and the widening gap between HR, cyber managers, and real-world professionals. Join me as I dissect what’s working—and what’s not—in how organizations attract, hire, and retain cybersecurity talent. It’s a conversation about equity, strategy, and what it truly takes to build sustainable cyber careers. Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/ ✨ If you’re ready to Use Your Voice — to speak at conferences, share your story, and help change the face of tech — I’d love to help you find your voice and use it powerfully. Learn more here. Support the show Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can: Take a moment to share this podcast with someone. Submit the interest form if you’d like to be a guest. Let us know how we're doing. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity. Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community! Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc Looking for mentorship? Let's talk about what you need and how I may be able to help: Mentor Moments The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

    39 min
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Bytes, Bits & Brilliance: Career Insights and Inspiration is your guide to building a thriving, long-lasting career.  This season, we’re diving into both the technical and human elements of a thriving career—exploring career strategy, leadership, and the evolving mindsets that fuel success, alongside deeper dives into cutting-edge technology tools, emerging industry trends, and critical technical skills.  With a mix of expert conversations and personal reflections, this season is about equipping you with the insights, strategies, and inspiration to move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Join us as we decode the wisdom of those who’ve forged their own paths and gain the insights you need to shape yours. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

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